Ciaran!

I wanted to update everyone on Ciaran.  He is 10 months old (tomorrow) and he is my little smarty-pants.  This isn't always a good thing, let me tell you.  He has figured out how to take the outlet covers off, and how to pull Jude's legos apart so they are in even smaller pieces.

But, it's really fun how much he has started mimicking us.  Whenever I point to a toy across the room and tell him to go get it, he points at it and starts babbling.  Yesterday, Justin was leaving for work and he kissed Ciaran goodbye and Ciaran made the kissing sound at the same time!  What a cutie! 

His favorite toys are balls; anytime I bounce or toss a ball, he gets really excited. He loves to play catch with us.  No, really, Ciaran DOES play catch.  He throws the ball to us and we throw it back.  I am amazed by him every day.

He loves being outside.  Any time anyone opens the front door, he makes a beeline for it.  The other day, it was raining pretty good and I let Jude go out in it for a little while.  And, sure enough, Ciaran wasn't far behind.  He sat in a puddle and started splashing away in it.

He has four teeth now, and it wasn't fun for anyone getting them ha ha.  (I'm laughing so I don't cry.)  He is also still really clingy to me, which gets old at times.  But, it's still nice being the one person he wants all the time.  I love this kid so much!

What I Wanted to Do For Mother's Day

Take family pictures!!!

 Look at my adorable boys!

Best 6 years of my life!

My Graduation!

I had a wonderful graduation on Saturday!  Let's take a look, shall we?

Where's Jesse??

It's almost my turn!

Getting my diploma (...holder)!

I love love LOVE Ciaran's expression in this pic.

And, yes, in this pic, too (Ciaran didn't want me to put him down ever again after our traumatic 1 1/2 separation).  FYI, the medallion I am wearing is for the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the beads are for the English Department...woot!  woot!

With my Dad and Keshia!

Check out the Dads representin'!

And with Jake and Annie!  And, yeah, Ciaran again.

Our Family!

I want to thank everyone who came out to support me, and for those who couldn't make it but really wanted to be there.  I got tons of words of support and congratulations from so many people, not to mention cards and gifts.  Thank you all!

Putting All the Kids to Bed

Or, uh, all the Superheroes.  Either way, Jude has them tucked in tight.  Good night, Batman, Iron Man, and Mr. Freeze.

Being Healthy

We love our chips, we love our treats, and we love love our soda.  We are not in denial about anything; we know we are addicted to these things, but it hasn't been a problem because we kind of like being addicted to these things.  They are delicious.  Being addicted to salty, sweet, bubbly yummy goodness is awesome.

BUT (there's always a "but"?) I have realized that it is impossible to get Jude to eat well if Justin and I aren't.  If there is bad stuff in the house, it will somehow find its way into this little boy's mouth.  I don't really know how it happens because I always resolve not to give him any of it.  But, when parents are eating something delicious, it seems kind of rude to be like, "here, child, eat spinach.  It's good for you.  It's not good for me.  Just for you."

So, Justin and I have decided that it is time we started eating better.  Starting now, we are not buying soda, chips, or candy of any kind.  We are substituting with water (none of us drink enough water, and I know for a fact I get dehydrated all the time), crackers, and fruit and veggies.  Also, we are switching from delicious white bread to not-as-yummy wheat bread.  Ugh.

Surprisingly, I think Justin, Jude and I all like fruit, veggies, crackers, etc.  But, when your body is used to eating other crap, it has to adjust back to being satisfied with healthy things.  I have discovered you have to eat a lot more healthy things to feel full...or maybe our bodies need to adjust to not being filled up so much, too.

So, here's to Day 1 of being healthy for our kids (and of course, for us).  Wish us luck!
(I already miss soda.)

Ciaran looks older every single day!

And he acts older, too!  We went to his 9 month check up yesterday.  He is still tall and skinny, that's for sure!  The doctor said he has great "stranger awareness" which basically means he was very wary of the doctor..."who are you and why are you touching me!??"

He cut his second tooth yesterday; they are both on the bottom so it will be very cute when they both come in completely.  Right now they are barely there.

He is very healthy, very happy (except when cutting teeth!), and very much a mama's boy, though he loves Justin and Jude so very much.  He lights up when he sees them.  He says "mom" and "mama" when he wants me.  He has said "dada" but not conclusively, and he knows to make the "buh" sound for "ball."  He loves playing with balls.

Ciaran wants to be involved in whatever is going on.  If Justin and Jude are playing, Ciaran has to be right there, trying to play, too.  (And Jude thinks, making a nuisance of himself. ha ha)

He is eating all kinds of things nowadays.  He loves bread, cereal, peas, broccoli, strawberries, apples, mashed potatoes, crackers...the list grows every day.  He has liked pretty much everything we put in front of him so far.

He walks along furniture VERY well, so I suspect he'll take his first step without help before long.  He stands without holding onto anything sometimes.

I love this little guy so much.  I am amazed at the differences between my two boys.  When we found out we were having another boy I thought "yay!  another Jude!"  I was so wrong.  Ciaran is completely different; he is his own person with his own likes/dislikes and personality.  It's been so much fun getting to know him.  He's growing up too fast!! 

Graduating!

I am graduating on Saturday, May 4, 2013.  Commencement is at 9:30 a.m. and my Convocation is at 2:00 p.m. in the Spectrum.  I will be getting a Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing.  I am very excited!  It will finally feel like I really am finished!